New Details in the Iron Barrier Case - Prisoner Housed With Accused Becomes Lawyer

Saba Meparishvili refused to agree and did not justify his decision to lawyer Shota Tutberidze, who represents the non-governmental organization Institute of Tolerance and Diversity and has been defending him since his arrest. Despite this, the newly involved lawyer spared no effort, even during the court session, to convince Saba and those present that Tutberidze had done nothing to support his client. He argued that Tutberidze had failed to gather any evidence in favor of the accused, interview witnesses, or conduct an alternative examination to verify whether the cost of repairing the damaged dam was indeed 400 GEL - a figure the prosecutor's office classified as particularly significant damage, as it exceeds the 150 GEL threshold. If found guilty, the young men face up to 6 years in prison. Notably, the Georgian Dream party excluded Article 187 of the Criminal Code, under which the youths were charged, from the broad amnesty granted before the elections.

Omar Okribelashvili's new defender filed three motions in court today:

1. To replace the prison sentence with bail as a preventive measure, since the investigation has concluded and there is no longer any risk of influencing witnesses.
2. To accept the evidence submitted by the prosecutor's office without further examination by the court.
3. To separate Omar Okribelashvili's case from the episode involving Saba Meparishvili.

Shota Tutberidze, Meparishvili's lawyer, agreed to the requests to replace imprisonment with bail and to separate Okribelashvili's case. However, he opposed the motion to accept the prosecution's evidence without question. During the trial, Tutberidze stated that they would consider accepting this proposal only if a verdict for the defendants was delivered in a timely manner, allowing them the possibility of being pardoned by President Salome Zourabichvili. However, with delays in the case's consideration, it is unlikely to be resolved before the end of Zourabichvili's presidential term, potentially worsening the defendants' situation.

The defendants and their families had hoped that the president would pardon Okribelashvili and Meparishvili, who were detained during the protest against the Russian Law, just as Giorgi Shanidze had been pardoned.

"You sacrifice children," lawyer Davit Gamkrelidze first said to Shota Tutberidze before turning to Saba Meparishvili:

- "Are you leaving your brother like this?!"

Saba replied: "I don’t leave anyone. If I sacrifice, I sacrifice myself. I say, let him out, leave me here alone. What more can I do?"

Prosecutor Nugzar Chitadze opposed the motions to change the restraining order and to separate the cases, urging the judge to reject both requests. Judge Natia Gudadze upheld the prosecutor’s position.

After announcing the decision to extend the defendants’ imprisonment, Saba Mefarishvili’s mother fell ill in the courtroom.

Saba tried to reach his unconscious mother, who was seated in a chair, but the escorts prevented him from doing so. They immediately handcuffed him and removed him from the courtroom.

"My mother, she is my mother, bro, my mother! I’m not going anywhere. Let me go!" Saba shouted.

As for how lawyer Davit Gamkrelidze became involved in the Iron Barrier case: As per information we obtained, Gamkrelidze was previously imprisoned. In October 2024, before the parliamentary elections, he was placed in the same cell as Omar Okribelashvili at the Gldani penitentiary facility. Gamkrelidze was released from prison just a few days ago. Upon his release, he presented a letter signed by Omar Okribelashvili from prison, granting Shota Tutberidze an exemption from the case.

When asked about the charges that led to his imprisonment, Gamkrelidze declined to answer. He stated only that he is a relative of Omar Okribelashvili’s family. When questioned why he did not take up the case earlier, he explained that he became involved when the family approached him.

Davit Gamkrelidze has involved another lawyer, Davit Sanadze, to represent the interests of Omar Okribelashvili. Sanadze is a member of the "Khachapuridze (Shalva Khachapuridze) and Partners" legal team.

Immediately after the session ended, Omar Okribelashvili's mother, Shorena Khomeriki, confronted Shota Tutberidze. She shouted loudly in front of the cameras, accusing Tutberidze of using her son's case for political purposes.

The next session for the case is scheduled for January 2025.

Georgian News has learned that Saba Meparishvili was physically assaulted in the penitentiary facility, allegedly under orders from the administration, because he refused to confess to the charges against him. After intervention by his lawyer, he was moved to a different cell. However, physical and psychological pressure reportedly continues, instigated by the administration, prisoners under their influence, and penitentiary staff. Saba Meparishvili was also severely beaten by police during his arrest. During the first trial, he appeared with visible injuries, which the judge noticed and referred to the Special Investigation Service. However, due to pressure, Meparishvili did not confirm the beating.